Rupert Higgins & Dawn Lawrence
28 Egerton Road, Bishopston, Redland, Bristol, BS7 8HL
Tel: 0117 9441034
This is a report on a trip we made in mid to late February 2000, which was arranged at the last minute when we bailed out of a trip to Ecuador because of political instability there. The entire trip was not devoted to birding - parts were more focused on whales, scenery and culture (in Mexico City). Nonetheless we saw 288 species of bird of which 115 were ticks. Birders who have been to southern California and/or Arizona would doubtless get fewer ticks but on the other hand we saw several species we had only encountered previously in Costa Rica,Colorado or Venezuela.
The most useful books we had were Steve Howell's Where to Watch Birds in Mexico and The Lonely Planet Guide to Mexico and in describing sites etc. I am assuming that any reader will have these. A word of warning, however: in the two years since the edition of The Lonely Planet Guide we were using was published prices had risen considerably. Food can still be good value as long as you stick to straightforward Mexican cafes - a good meal for two with beer can easily be had £5-£7. Street stalls selling tacos etc. are very common and we had good meals from these on a few occasions. Our one foray into a pizza restaurant was considerably more expensive. Bread, cheese, fruit etc in shops is very cheap but anything more procesed tends to be pricey. Hotel rooms had generally gone up by about 50%. We tended to stay in places towards the lower end of what is described as "middle" in the Lonely Planet and the average price was about £13 per night for a double. The cheapest room we had was about £7 and perfectly adequate, so we probably could have saved money on accomodation. We never booked accommodation and never had any trouble finding any. Car hire was about £30 per day including taxes and insurance - whole week rates might be cheaper. Some things have gone up much more - the Copper Canyon train (first class train at least) had quadrupled to £90 each return from Los Mochis to Creel. Departure tax at the airport had tripled to £22-50 each.
We had no health problems. We generally drank bottled water except at places such as Villa Blanca where we were assured that the tap water was safe. Many hotels provide water in water coolers. We weren't particularly careful with what we ate or drank in cafes, although being vegetarian might help; we ate salads and drank things like home-made lemonade without any problems. Street food-stands seemed safe when you could see the food being cooked for you. Biting insects weren't generally a problem, although I got a few bites at Barranca Rancho Liebre, mostly from black flies (I gather that things can be much worse in the summer).
The weather was good and almost invariably sunny. We had no rain at all. In the mountains, especially around Creel where there was ice on streams, the mornings were distinctly cold and we had one chilly morning in Baja California. It was rarely unpleasantly hot and the low humidity and breezes generally kept conditions pleasant, even in the lowlands. On the whole, February seemed a good time to visit, with large numbers of Nearctic visitors around and local residents beginning to sing. It is obviously a poor time of year to visit the Creel area, however, where barely a flower was out and birds were few and far between.
The people we encountered were invariably friendly and helpful. DL speaks good Spanish and this doubtless helped but it would be possible to get by using rudimentary phrase-book spanish and sign language. Car hire personnel, airline staff and some hotel staff speak English.
Other wildlife interest was patchy. In the Mazatlan-Durango area the thorn forest was leafless but many trees and some herbaceous plants were in flower and spectacular butterflies were plentiful. We saw few other insects and the Creel area was generally lifeless, although forests further down the railway were full of flowers. We saw a few flowers in Baja California and the arid scrub there is excellent for cacti, but it would obviously be more interesting froma general natural history point of view during or just after the rainy season. Other than cetaceans, which were star performers, we saw few mammals beyond squirrels. We saw a few big iguanas, lots of geckoes and various other lizards but no snakes or amphibians.
Itinerary
February 12th: We flew to Mexico City via Madrid on Iberia. We spent the night at Hotel Catedral and in the evening had a stroll around the Zocalo (main square).
February 13th: We took an early morning Aero Mexico flight to Mazatlan, arriving there at about 8-30. We hired a Ford Fiesta from Budget (we got quite lot of money off the price just by looking unsure about whether to pay) and set out along the Durango highway. By the time we reached any decent habitat (thorn woodland) along the road the temperature was already very high and bird activity low. Nonetheless we saw several parties of black-throated magpie jay, mangrove cuckoo, hooded and black-vented orioles and citreoline trogon around Km 288. At Cerro el Elefante (Km 265..6) we had golden vireo and sinalo wren. We checked into the motel known as Villa Blanca at La Capilla de Taxte - a reasonable if rather un-down room for about £11. After a late linch (food is extremely basic here) we walked up the road and into adjacent forest edge habitat. Bird activity was high and we saw various warblers, eastern bluebird, violet-crowned hummingbird etc.
February 14th: We left Villa Blanca at about 6-45 and arrived at Barranca Rancho Liebre at about 7-40 - it's only 33km but the road is very winding (although the surface is extremely good) and lorries are frequent. The only mistake we noticed in Steve's book is that the pull-off for the Barranca is at 201.5, not 200.5. We spent several hours here - the birding was excellent but we failed to see tufted jay, or stellers jay with which they often associate. Species such as painted redstart, red-faced warbler, red warbler and mountain trogon were very obvious here and other species we saw included blue mockingbird, crescent-chested warbler, white-striped woodcreeper, golden-browed warbler and russet nightingale-thrush. Activity died off towards mid-day but flocks of warblers etc were still moving. We left in the mid-afternoon and made our way back down the road, stopping at the pull-offs which are plentiful in this section. We eventually found a flock of steller's jays, but no tufted. Other birds seen included spotted wren, acorn woodpecker, red-headed tanager and brown-backed solitaire.
15th February: First thing (leaving Villa Blanca at about 6-15) we drove down to the Panuco Road, about 20 minutes drive. This dirt road was excellent for several hours and has the added bonus that in the morning the mountains shade the road from the sun. Bird activity, dominated by yellow-winged caciques and wilsons warblers, was very high and other species seen included black-capped vireo, elegant trogon, streak-backed oriole, flame-coloured tanager, rufous-backed thrush, russet-crowned motmot, rufous hummingbird and squirrel cuckoo, along with a large flock of grey silky-flycatchers. The range of buntings was especially good - blue, lazuli, varied and painted all gave very good views. At about 10am as the sun reached the nearby valley at least 17 military macaws were seen well as they started flying around, fortunately calling very loudly. We left at about mid-day, returned to Villa Blanca to pick up our luggage, and drove down to Mazatlan (although we could definitely have done with at least one more day in this area). Like most towns we visited, Mazatlan was much bigger than we expected. We stayed in the older part of the town at the Hotel Siesta, about £20 for a room but we paid extra for a sea-view, which allowed sea watching from bed. In the late afternoon we returned the hire car to the budget office in the new tourist development to the north and did some birding along the beach and on the pools which survive behind the beach road between the new and old towns. The best bird seen was wandering tattler.
February 16th: Sea-watching from the hotel produced brown and blue-footed boobies, heermann's gull etc. At about 8-00 we walked to the tourist boat jetties which are on the southern edge of town between the main harbour and the famous lighthouse. The scheduled tour boat looked very crowded so we took our own boat, stressing to the boatman that we wanted to look at birds. We payed about £25 for the trip, definitely worth it - I don't know how much the usual tour costs; our blokes said they charge the same, which seems unlikely. He took us out to the booby rocks, aka Dos Hermanos, where we had superb views of the two booby species plus frigate birds, pelicans etc and, outstandingly, at least five red-billed tropicbirds. He also took us to see a rock with several californian sea-lions very close to and another island with large nesting colonies of frigatebirds, olivaceous cormorants and great blue herons and sang us a very nice song. For the rest of the day we wandered around the town and saw zone-tailed hawk, streak-backed oriole, golden-cheeked woodpecker etc. and booked our bus ticket for the next day.
February 17th: We took an 8 o'clock bus to Los Mochis - not first class (the variety of bus classes had us foxed) but the next best thing - for about £11 each. It takes 6 hours, including hanging around in various intermediate bus stations. You get frustrating views of some excellent-looking thorn forest, as well as loads of boring agricultural land, on the way. The best birds seen were a group of elegant quail on the roadside. In Los Mochis stayed at the Montecarlo Hotel, which is good for about £15.
February 18th: The only way to get to the train station for the Primero Especial train is to get a taxi, about £4. We had booked seats but the train was more than half empty and we could doubtless have bought them at the station (for the same price). In view of the price-hike on this service it might be better to get the Segunda Clase train, which is much more crowded but offers the same viewing potential.. The train passes through loads of good habitat, from arid scrub through thorn forest and oak forest into pine forest. It moves so slowly that you can do some birdwatching, especially from the open platforms between carriages (you can ignore the signs telling you not to stand there). Species we saw included gila woodpecker, bendire's thrasher, rufous-bellied chachalaca and black-throated magpie jay and of course the scenery is breath-taking. The train stops for 15 minutes at Divisadero, allowing you to enjoy spectacular views of one of the canyons and buy some lunch.. On our trip the train wandered off whilst we were there and came back, causing some palpitations. In Creel we stayed at Hotel Los Pinos, about five minutes walk from the station south along the main road.
February 19th: A bus south to Batopilas leaves from opposite Hotel Los Pinos every morning - best to ask for the time in the hotel. It was 7-30 this morning. We got off at the turning to Cusarare and walked down to the waterfall as described in Steve's book, with the difference that we saw no birds. In the woodland just about the only species active were mexican chickadee and yellow-eyed junco. Maybe we should have guessed that visiting a montane forest in the middle of winter wasn't our best ever idea. In the fields close to the road we saw a few more things including canyon towhee, curve-billed thrasher and striped sparrow. We got a "collectivo" minibus back to Creel at 4-00.
February 20th: Our various travel arrangements committed us to another day at Creel, or we might have fled. In any case, we got the bus (8-00 today, a Sunday) down to Lago Arereco, which is about 5 miles south of Creel. The lake looks at first sight like a barren upland lake but was surprisingly productive, with ten species of duck including bufflehead and canvasback at least giving us something to look at. The woods close to the lake were somewhat more lively than those in the canyon yesterday, mostly with widespread North American species such as brown creeper, pygmy and white-breasted nuthatches, williamson's sapsucker and canyon wren with two rusty sparrows in a grassy clearing. In the late afternoon we walked back along the road and birded the adjacent fields which were fairly bird-rich. Species seen included western bluebird, chipping sparrow, say's phoebe and cassin's finch. The bus back into town sped past us but we got a lift from some blokes in a pick-up.
February 21st: We got the train back to Los Mochis, which eventually arrived 1½ hours late at 9-30pm. The ornithological highlight of the trip was a fine view of eight lilac-fronted parrots flying along parallel to the train. Stayed at the Montecarlo again.
February 22nd: We had intended to get the ferry across to La Paz since the Lonely Planet Guide claims that it sails during the day. In fact it sails at night, which we thought might limit opportunities to see sea-birds or whales. Instead we flew, but the flight was at 9-30pm, leaving us a day free in Los Mochis - not the most entrancing prospect. We got a bus to Topolbampo, the ferry terminal, and that didn't look hugely enticing either but a taxi driver told us the beach was much more pleasant and had many many birds. After a bit of haggling he took us there for £3 and he was right. There are large lagoons and mangrove swamps immediately behind the beach where we saw black skimmer, elegant tern, roseate spoonbill, forsters tern, reddish egret etc and a dolphin. In the sparse arid scrub and mangrove edge along the beach we saw phainopepla, pryrroxhula, grey-crowned yellowthroat, grey flycatcher, cactus wren etc and would probably have seen more with more time. On the sea we had brown and blue-footed boobies and a white booby which strongly resembled red-footed booby, although they shouldn't be this close inland as well as a school of dolphins and two ** whales. At mid-day it got very hot and we whiled away several hours in a beachside cafe complete with mariachi bands and the opportunity to grill various sea-gulls including glaucous-winged, californian and heermann's. After another look at the lagoons we got a bus back to Los Mochis - presumably they go to the beach in the morning as well but you'd have to ask the drivers to find out when, probably lots do at the weekends when the beach is doubtless heaving. We got another taxi for the 15km trip to the airport and the Aero California flight to La Paz.
February 23rd: We hired a car from the Thrifty office on the sea-front and headed north for Puerto Adolfo Lopez Mateos near Ciudad Insurgentes. The drive, with various stops, took us about five hours. Birds seen in the arid scrub on the way included verdin, costa's hummingbird, californian gnatcatcher, ladder-backed woodpecker and californian towhee. Puerto A L Mateos is a small slightly scruffy fishing village on a coastal lagoon whose main (only?) attraction is the grey whales which come here to calf.. The village features many osprey nests and in the rather bedraggled scrub nearby we saw a few birds including common yellowthroat, white-crowned sparrow and northern harrier, with a few waders and ducks along the shore. We stayed in the basic and cheap, but perfectly adequate if grandly named Posada in the village.
February 24th: First thing we had arranged to go out in one of the many boats offering trips to see the whales and only had to hang around for an hour. But the trips do seem well organised with regard to the whales. We had superb views of several grey whales and some dolphins, as well as birds including common and pacific loons, western grebe and brandt's cormorant. In mid-morning we drove to Loreto on the eastern coast of the penninsula through stunning scenery and via various stops. Species seen (mostly towards the end of the drive in the foothills of the Sierra de la Giganta) included grey thrasher, xantu's hummingbird and scrub jay. As the road reaches the coast there is a mirador with a car pull-off on a cliff-top. Just beyond here RH spotted a whale blow. We couldn't stop for another 1½ miles and then scanned an empty sea for 15 minutes but eventually a blue whale appeared, just as big as they're cracked up to be. Loreto is a pleasant if slightly touristy small town. From the promenade we saw feeding parties of caveri's murelette. The river mouth at the south end of the beach held a good range of waders and hooded oriole with savannah and white-crowned sparrows in the dune scrub. We stayed at Hotel San Martin which seems to have gone up-market since the LP Guide was written - rooms now cost £20, more basic rooms at half this price were all taken. It is very pleasant though.
February 25th: We spent the morning around Loreto birdwatching in the various gardens and at the river mouth, where there was a party of royal terns with two elegant terns.. We then headed back towards La Paz. We gave the mirador about an hour and were rewarded with superb views of a hump-backed whale. We then stopped in scrub a few miles beyond here where there was a mixed flock of seedeaters including pyrrhoxula, green-tailed towhee and black-throated and black-chinned sparrows. The remainder of the drive took about five hours. We stopped at last light by the coast on the edge of La Paz and saw large flocks of american avocet and white pelican.
February 26th: We took an early morning flight to Mexico City (almost too early - it was twenty minutes earlier than the time that was on the tickets and we had been told when we reconfirmed, so when we sauntered in to drop off the hire-car and check-in it was only ten minutes before the flight left). We spent the rest of the day, and the next day in Mexico City where we were particularly impressed by the National Museum of Anthropology (if visiting you could take your bins because there are birds in the gardens !). We then got another day in Mexico City because the plane back to Madrid developed engine problems, so we got back at lunchtime of Feb 29th.
Species List:
Pacific loon (Gavia arctica): 12 at Puerto Lopez on 24th.
Common loon (Gavia immer): 2 at Mazatlan on 16th and 21 at Puerto Lopez on 24th.
Least grebe (Tachybaptus dominicus): 8 at Mazatlan on 15th; 2 between there and Los Mochis on 17th; and 4 at Lago Arareco on 20th.
Pied-billed grebe (Podilymbus podiceps): 12 at Lago Arareco on 20th and 1 near la Paz on 25th.
Eared (black-necked) grebe (Podiceps nigricollis): 1 at Mazatlan on 15th; and c80 at Loreto on 25th with c30 nearby.
Western grebe (Aechmorphorus occidentalis): 2 at Puerto Lopez on 24th.
Red-billed tropicbird (Phaethon aetherus): 5 during boat trip at Mazatlan on 16th. *
Blue-footed booby (Sula nebouxii): c30 on 15th, c100 on 16th & c30 on 17th at Mazatlan; c30 at Topolobampo on 22nd; 2 near Loreto on 24th; c30 at Loreto on 25th;*
Brown booby (Sula leucogaster): c100 on 15th, c300 on 16th & c50 on 17th at Mazatlan; c100 at Topolobampo on 22nd;
Red-footed booby (Sula sula): 1 at Topolobampo on 22nd. *
American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos): c250 near La Paz on 25th and 13 there on 26th.
Brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis): Frequent by coast - c500 on 15th, c1000 on 16th & c200 on 17th at Mazatlan; c200 at Topolobampo on 22nd; 4 at La Paz and c20 at Puerto Lopez on 23rd; c40 at Puerto Lopez and c20 at Loreto on 24th; and c30 at Loreto and 8 nearby on 25th.
Double-crested cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus): c20 on 15th & c30 on 16th at Mazatlan; c350 at Topolobampo on 22nd; c10 at Puerto Lopez on 23rd and c20 there on 24th; and 3 at Loreto on 25th.
Olivaceous cormorant (Phalacrocorax brasilianus): c10 at Mazatlan on 15th & 2 there on 17th; 6 between there and Los Mochis on 17th; and c30 at Topolobampo on 22nd.
Brandt's cormorant (Phalacrocorax penicillatus): 1 at La Paz on 23rd; c10 at Puerto Lopez on 24th; c20 at Loreto on 24th; and c150 there on 25th. *
Magnificent frigatebird (Fregata magnificens): Frequent by the coast - c100 on 15th, c300 on 16th & c70 on 17th at Mazatlan; 10 between Mazatlan and Los Mochis on 17th; c100 at Topolobampo on 22nd; 2 at La Paz and 3 at Puerto Lopez on 23rd; c25 at Loreto on 24th; c30 there on 25th; and 1 at La Paz on 26th.
Great blue heron (Ardea herodias): 6 at Mazatlan on 15th, c70 there on 16th & 1 on 17th; 2 between Mazatlan and Los Mochis on 17th; 1 from train on 18th; 1 at Lago Arareco on 20th; 1 from train on 21st; 6 near Los Mochis on 22nd; 2 at Puerto Lopez on 23rd and 4 there on 24th; and 5 at Loreto on 25th.
Great egret (Egretta alba): 1 near Mazatlan airport on 13th; 2 at base of Durango Highway on 15th; 11 between Mazatlan and Los Mochis on 17th; 1 from train on 18th; 1 from train on 21st; 1 at Puerto Lopez on 23rd and 2 there on 24th; 1 near Loreto on 24th & 25th; and 10 near La Paz on 25th.
Snowy egret (Egretta thula): 1 at Mazatlan on 15th and 16th; c15 at Topolobampo on 22nd; 8 at Loreto on 24th and 25th; and c40 near La Paz on 25th.
Little blue heron (Egretta caerulea): 1 near Mazatlan airport on 13th; c10 at Topolobampo on 22nd; and 1 at Puerto Lopez on 24th.
Tricolored heron (Egretta tricolor): 1 near La Paz on 25th.
Reddish egret (Egretta rufescens): 3 at Topolobampo on 22nd; and 1 near la Paz on 25th. *
Cattle egret (Bubuculus ibis): Abundant around cattle in the lowlands, where seen daily..
Green heron (Butorides virescens): 2 at Loreto on 25th.
Black-crowned night-heron (Nycticorax nycticorax): 1 at Puerto Lopez on 24th.
Yellow-crowned night-heron (Nycticorax violaceus): 1 immature at Mazatlan on 16th and 1 at Topolobampo on 22nd. *
White ibis (Eudocimus albus): 1 on Durango Highway on 15th; 4 at Topolobampo on 22nd; and 1 at Puerto Lopez on 24th.
White-faced ibis (Plegadis chihi): c30 between Mazatlan and Los Mochis on 17th.
Roseate spoonbill (Platalea ajaja): 1 at Topolobampo on 22nd.
Wood stork (Mycteria americana): 1 at bottom of Durango Highway on 15th.
Black brant (Branta bernicla): c40 at Puerto Lopez on 24th.
Green-winged teal (Anas crecca): c30 at Lago Arareco on 20th.
Northern pintail (Anas acuta): 2 at Puerto Lopez on 23rd.
Blue-winged teal (Anas discors): 1 at Mazatlan on 15th
Cinnamon teal (Anas cyanoptera): 4 near Loreto on 25th.
Northern shoveler (Anas clypeata): 1 at Mazatlan on 15th; c30 between Mazatlan and Los Mochis on 17th:
American wigeon (Anas americana): 120 at Lago Arareco on 20th.
Canvasback (Aythya valisineria): 4 at Lago Arareco on 20th.
Redhead (Aythya americana): 5 at Lago Arareco on 20th; and 6 at Puerto Lopez on 23rd and 24th.
Ring-necked duck (Aythya collaris): c30 at Lago Arareco on 20th; and c10 at Topolobampo on 22nd.
Greater scaup (Aythya marila): 22 at Topolobampo on 22nd.
Lesser scaup (Aythya affinis): c200 between Mazatlan and Los Mochis on 17th; and c20 at Lago Arereco on 20th.
Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola): 16 at Lago Arareco on 20th and c30 at Topolobampo on 22nd.
Common merganser (Mergus merganser): a female at Lago Arareco on 20th.
Red-breasted merganser (Mergus serrator): 5 at Topolobampo on 22nd; 3 at Puerto Lopez on 24th; and 4 at Loreto on 25th.
Ruddy duck (Oxyura jamaicensis): 3 at Mazatlan on 15th; c30 between Mazatlan and Los Mochis on 17th; c40 at Lago Arareco on 20th;
Black vulture (Coragyps atratus): Less frequent than the next species.
Turkey vulture (Cathartes aura): Frequent in all habitats.
Osprey (Pandion haliaetus): 2 between Mazatlan and Los Mochis on 17th; 8 at Topolobampo on 22nd; 1 at La Paz and 6 at Puerto Lopez on 23rd; 4 at Puerto Lopez on 24th; 1 at Loreto on 25th and 3 nearby.
White-tailed kite (Elanus leucurus): 1 on Durango Highway on 13th; 8 between Mazatlan and Los Mochis on 17th; 1 from train on 18th; and 1 at Culican airport on 26th.
Northern harrier (Circus cyaneus): 4 between Mazatlan and Los Mochis on 17th; 2 from train on 21st; and 1 at Puerto Lopez on 23rd.
Sharp-shinned hawk (Accipiter striatus): 1 near Mazatlan airport on 13th; 2 on Panuco Road on 15th; 2 from train on 18th; .
Cooper's hawk (Accipiter cooperi): 1 at Creel on 19th; 1 between Puerto Lopez and Loreto on 24th; and 1 at Loreto on 25th.
Northern goshawk (Accipiter gentilis): 1 at Lago Arareco on 20th.
Grey hawk (Buteo nitidus): 1 on Durango Highway on 13th; 1 between Mazatlan and Los Mochis on 17th; and 1 from train on 21st.
Broad-winged hawk (Buteo platypterus): 1 on Durango Highway on 13th; and 1 on Panuco Road on 15th.
Short-tailed hawk (Buteo brachyurus): 2 from train on 18th;
Zone-tailed hawk (Buteo albonotatus): 1 at Mazatlan on 16th; and 1 from train on 18th;
Red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis): 1 on Durango Highway on 13th; 2 on Durango Highway on 14th; 1 on Panuco Road on 15th; 1 from train on 18th; 1 at Cascade Curare on 19th; 1 at Lago Arareco on 20th; 1 over Creel and 1 from train on 21st; 3 between La Paz and Puerto Lopez on 23rd; 1 between Puero Lopez and Loreto on 24th; and 1 between Loreto and La Paz on 25th.
Ferruginous hawk (Buteo regalis): 1 at Guadalajara airport on 26th.
Crested caracara: 2 at Mazatlan on 16th; 17 between Mazatlan and Los Mochis on 17th; 4 from train on 18th; 4 from train on 21st; 25 between La Paz and Puerto Lopez on 23rd; 3 between Puerto Lopez and Loreto on 24th; and 18 on 25th.
American kestrel (Falco sparverius): Common in lowland areas: 15 on 13th; 7 on 15th; 1 on 16th; 54 on 17th; 15 on 18th; 2 on 20th; 3 on 21st; 4 on 22nd; 13 on 23rd; 5 on 24th; and 7 on 25th.
Peregrine (Falco peregrinus): 1 at Mazatlan on 16th.
Rufous-bellied chachalaca (Ortalis wagleri): 3 from train on 18th. *
Crested guan (Penelope purpurascens): Heard at Barranca Rancho Liebre on 14th.
Elegant quail (Callipepla douglasii): 8 between Mazatlan and Los Mochis on 17th. *
American coot (Fulica americana): 7 at Mazatlan on 15th; c60 between Mazatlan and Los Mochis on 17th; 1 from train on 18th; c100 at Lago Arareco on 20th; 11 near Loreto on 24th and 25th.
Black-bellied plover (Pluvialis squatarola): c40 at Topolobampo on 22nd; 2 at Puerto Lopez on 23rd; and 1 at Loreto on 25th.
Snowy plover (Charadrius alexandrius): 4 at Loreto on 24th and 8 there on 25th.
Wilson's plover (Charadrius wilsonia): c30 at Topolobampo on 22nd; 10 at Loreto on 24th; and 4 there on 25th.
Semipalmated plover (Charadrius semipalmatus): 2 at Mazatlan on 15th; 9 at Topolobampo on 22nd; and 4 at Loreto on 24th.
Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus): 3 at Lago Arareco on 20th.
American oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus): 3 at Mazatlan on 16th; and 4 at Topolobampo on 22nd. *
Black-necked stilt (Himantopus mexicanus): 8 at Mazatlan on 15th; 2 between there and Los Mochis on 17th; and 15 at Topolobampo on 22nd.
American avocet (Recurvirostra americana): c100 near La Paz on 25th.
Greater yellowlegs (Tringa melanoleuca): 8 at Topolobampo on 22nd; 1 at Puerto Lopez on 23rd; 1 at Loreto on 24th; and 3 there on 25th.
Lesser yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes): 2 at Loreto on 24th and 4 there on 25th.
Willet (Catoptrophus semipalmatus): 2 at Mazatlan on 15th and 1 there on 16th; 3 at Topolobampo on 22nd; 6 at Loreto on 24th; 12 there on 25th;
Wandering tattler (Hetroscelus incanus): 1 at Mazatlan on 15th and 6 there on 16th. *
Spotted sandpiper (Actitis macularia): 1 on Durango Highway and 1 at Mazatlan on 15th and 16th; 2 at Topolbampo on 22nd; 1 at Loreto on 24th; 1 there on 25th; and 1 near La Paz on 25th.
Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus): 3 at Mazatlan on 15th; c20 at Topolobampo on 22nd; 5 at Loreto on 24th; and 7 there on 25th.
Long-billed curlew (Numenius americanus): c50 at Topolobampo on 22nd; 3 at Puerto Lopez on 23rd; and c15 near La Paz on 25th.
Marbled godwit (Limosa fedoa): c200 at Topolbampo on 22nd; c20 at Puerto Lopez on 23rd; 9 at Loreto on 24th; 10 there on 25th; and c60 near La Paz on 25th.*
Sanderling (Calidris alba): c30 at Mazatlan on 15th; 3 at Topolobampo on 22nd; c20 at Loreto on 24th; and 14 there on 25th.
Western sandpiper (Calidris mauri): 3 at Topolobampo on 22nd; 7 at Loreto on 24th; and 1 there on 25th.
Least sandpiper (Calidris minutilla): 1 at Topolobampo on 22nd; 6 at Loreto on 24th; and 2 there on 25th.
Dunlin (Calidris alpina): 1 at Topolobampo on 22nd.
Short-billed dowitcher (Limnodromus griseus): 2 dowitchers at Loreto on 24th and 25th were probably this species.
Laughing gull (Larus atricilla): c100 at Mazatlan on 15th, c30 on 16th & c40 on 17th; and c45 at Topolobampo on 22nd.
Bonaparte's gull (Larus philadelphia): 1 first-winter at Puerto Lopez on 24th.
Heermann's gull (Larus heermanni): c100 on 15th, c500 on 16th & c300 on 17th at Mazatlan; 9 at Topolobampo on 22nd; 1 at Puerto Lopez on 23rd; and 1 at Loreto on 25th.*
Ring-billed gull (Larus delawarensis): 5 on 15th & c20 on 16th; c200 at Topolobampo on 22nd; c20 at La Paz on 23rd; c100 at Puerto Lopez on 23rd;
California gull (Larus californicus): 1 at Mazatlan on 15th; 2 at Topolobampo on 22nd; and c30 at Puerto Lopez on 24th.
Herring gull (Larus argentatus): 1 at Mazatlan on 15th and 20 on 16th; c50 at Topolobampo on 22nd; and c30 at Puerto Lopez on 24th.
Yellow-footed gull (Larus livens): 2 at Mazatlan on 16th; 3 at Topolobampo on 22nd; 3 at La Paz on 23rd; c115 at Loreto on 24th; c100 there on 25th; and c30 near La Paz on 25th.*
Western gull (Larus occidentalis): c300 at Puerto Lopez on 23rd and 24th. *
Glaucous-winged gull (Larus glaucescens): 1 adult and 1 first-winter at Topolobampo on 22nd; and 1 first-winter at Puerto Lopez on 23rd. *
Caspian tern (Sterna caspia): c30 at Mazatlan on 16th & 15 on 17th; c40 at Topolobampo on 22nd; and 4 near La Paz on 25th.
Royal tern (Sterna maxima): 1 at Mazatlan on 15th, c30 there on 16th & 4 on 17th;c100 at Topolobampo on 22nd; 2 at Puerto Lopez on 23rd and 4 there on 24th.
Elegant tern (Sterna elegans): 2 at Topolobampo on 22nd; and 1 at Loreto on 25th. *
Common tern (Sterna hirundo): c20 at Topolobampo on 22nd.
Forster's tern (Sterna forsteri): 2 at Mazatlan on 16th and c40 at Topolobampo on 22nd..
Black skimmer (Rhynchops niger): c100 at Topolobampo on 22nd.
Craveri's murrelet (Endomychura craveri): c100 off Loreto on 24th and 4 there on 25th.. *
Red-billed pigeon (Columba flavirostris): 12 on Panuco Road on 15th.
Band-tailed pigeon (Columba fasciata): 6 on Durango Highway on 13th.
White-winged dove (Zenaida asiatica): Common in lowland areas - 6 near Mazatlan airport on 13th; 1 at Mazatlan on 15th and 2 on 16th; 2 between Mazatlan and Los Mochis and c 10 at Los Mochis on 17th; c300 from train on 18th; c50 from train on 21st; 1 at Topolobampo on 22nd; and 5 at Loreto and c15 between there and La Paz on 25th.
Mourning dove (Zenaida macroura): 1 near Mazatlan on 13th; and 2 between Mazatlan and Los Mochis on 17th.
Inca dove (Columbina inca): 2 near Mazatlan airport and 4 on Durango Highway on 13th; 1 on Durango Highway on 14th; and c12 in Mexico City on both 26th and 27th.
Common ground-dove (Columbina passerina): 1 on Durango highway on 13th; 4 at Mazatlan on 15th; 2 between Mazatlan and Los Mochis on 17th; 1 between La Paz and Puerto Lopez on 23rd; 1 between Puerto Lopez and Loreto on 24th; 7 at Loreto on 25th.
Military macaw (Ara militaris): 17+ on Panuco Road on 15th. *
Lilac-crowned parrot (Amazona finschi): 2 between Mazatlan and Los Mochis on 17th; and 8 from train on 21st.*
Mangrove cuckoo (Coccyzus minor): 2 on Durango Highway on 13th. Very skulking.*
Squirrel cuckoo (Piaya cayana): 1 on Panuco Road on 15th.
Groove-billed ani (Crotophaga sulcirostris): 1 at bottom of Durango Highway and 2 at Mazatlan on 15th; 1 at Mazatlan on 17th; c20 between Mazatlan and Los Mochis on 17th;
Lesser Nighthawk (Chordeiles acutipennis): 1 on Durango Highway on 13th and 3 there on 14th..
Chestnut-collared swift (Cypseloides rutilus): c20 over Durango Highway on 13th. *
White-throated swift (Aeronautes saxatilis): 2 at Barranca Rancho Liebre on 14th.
White-naped swift (Streptoprocne semicollaris): 2 between Mazatlan and Los Mochis on 17th.. *
Broad-billed hummingbird (Cynanthus latirostris): 3 on Durango Highway on 13th; 1 on Panuco Road on 15th; 5 at Mazatlan on 16th; 1 at Los Mochis on 17th. *
White-eared hummingbird (Basilinna leucotis): c10 at Rancho Barranca Liebre on 14th. *
Xantu's hummingbird (Basilinna xantusii): 1 near Loreto on 24th. *
Berylline hummingbird (Amazilia beryllina): 1 at Capilla de Taxa on 13th; and 1 in Mexico City on 27th. *
Cinnamon hummingbird (Amazilia rutila): 1 on Panuco Road on 15th. *
Violet-crowned hummingbird (Amazilia violiceps): 3 at Durango Highway on 13th. *
Plain-capped starthroat (Heliomaster constantii): 1 on Panuco Road on 15th. *
Costa's hummingbird (Archilochus costae): 1 between La Paz and Puerto Lopez on 23rd; and 1 at Loreto on 25th.*
Rufous hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus): 1 on Panuco Road on 15th. *
Bumblebee hummingbird (Selasphorus heloisa): 2 at Barranca Rancho Liebre on 14th. *
Citreoline trogon (Trogon citreolus): A female on Durango Highway on 13th. *
Mountain trogon (Trogon mexicanus): 10+ at Barranca Rancho Liebre and 1 on Durango Highway on 14th. *
Elegant trogon (Trogon elegans): 3 on Panuco Road on 15th. *
Russet-crowned motmot (Momotus mexicanus): 1 on Panuco Road on 15th. *
Belted kingfisher (Ceryle alcyon): 1 near Mazatlan airport on 13th; 1 on Durango Highway on 15th; 1 at cascade Curare on 19th; 2 at Lago Arareco on 20th; 1 from train on 21st; 2 at Topolobampo on 22nd; 1 at Puerto Lopez on 23rd; and 1 at Loreto on 24th and 25th.
Acorn woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus): 3 on Durango Highway on 14th; and 1 at Divisivaro on 21st.*
Golden-cheeked woodpecker (Centurus chrysogenys): 1 at Mazatlan on 16th *
Gila woodpecker (Centurus uropygialis): 5+ from train on 18th; 1 between Puerto Lopez and Loreto on 24th; 9 at Loreto on 25th;
Red-naped sapsucker (Sphyrapicus nuchalis): A male at Barranca Rancho Liebre on 14th and 1 at Lago Arareco on 20th. *
Williamson's sapsucker (Sphyrapicus thyroideus): 1 at Cascade Curare on 19th and 2 at Lago Arareco on 20th.
Ladder-backed woodpecker (Picoides scalaris): 1 between La Paz and Puerto Lopez on 23rd; 1 between Puerto Lopez and Loreto on 24th; and 1 between Loreto and La Paz on 25th..*
Arizona woodpecker (Picoides arizonae): 3 at Barranca Rancho Liebre on 14th. *
Grey-crowned woodpecker (Piculus auricularis): 1 on Durango Highway on 14th. *
Northern flicker (Colaptes auratus): 2 (red-shafted) at Cascade Curare on 19th; 1 (red-shafted) at Lago Arareco on 20th; 2 (gilded) between La Paz and Puerto Lopez on 23rd;
Lineated woodpecker (Dryocopus lineatus): 1 on Panuco Road on 15th.
Pale-billed woodpecker (Campehlius guatemalensis): 1 at Cascade Curare on 19th.
White-striped woodcreeper (Lepidocolaptes leucogaster): 4 at Barranca Rancho Liebre and on Durango Highway on 14th. *
Northern beardless-tyrannulet (Camptostoma imberbe): 1 at Panuco Road on 15th. *
Tufted flycatcher (Mitrephanes phaeocercus): c10 at Barranca Rancho Liebre on 14th.. *
Greater pewee (Contopus peetinax): 3 at Barranca Rancho Liebre on 14th.
Western wood-pewee (Contopus sordidulus): 1 at Barranca Rancho Liebre on 14th.
Least flycatcher (Emidonax minimus): 1 on Panuco Road on 15th. *
Grey flycatcher (Empidonax wrightii): 1 at Topolobampo on 22nd.
Pine flycatcher (Empidonax affinis): 7 at Barranca Rancho Liebre on 14th. *
Western flycatcher (Emidonax difficilis sp): None identified to species level. 1 at Durango Highway on 13th; 1 on Panuco Road on 15th.
Black phoebe (Sayornis nigricans): 1on Durango Highway on 15th; 1 at Cascade Curare on 19th; and 1 from train on 21st.
Say's phoebe (Sayornis saya): 2 near Lago Arareco on 20th.
Vermillion flycatcher (Pyrocephalus rubinus): 4 near Mazatlan airport and 3 on the Durango Highway on 13th; 2 on Durango Highway on 15th; 1 on Topolobampo on 22nd; and 2 at Loreto on 24th and 25th.
Dusky-capped flycatcher (Myiarchus tuberculifer): 1 on Panuco Road on 15th. *
Brown-crested flycatcher (Myiarchus tyrannulus): 1 at Durango Highway on 13th. Other Myiarchus seen were not positively identified.
Great kiskadee (Pitangus sulphuratus): 2 at Mazatlan airport on 13th and 1 at Mazatlan on 16th.
Cassin's kingbird (Tyrannus vociferans): 1 on Panuco Road on 15th; c10 between La Paz and Puerto Lopez on 23rd.
Thick-billed kingbird (Tyrannus crassirostris): 10 on Durango Highway on 13th. *
Mangrove swallow (Tachycineta albilinea): 4 at Mazatlan airport on 13th; c20 at Mazatlan on 16th; and 8 at Topolobampo on 22nd.
Violet-green swallow (Tachycineta thalassina): c40 at Barranca Rancho Liebre on 14th; c10 between Mazatlan and Los Mochis on 17th; 1 from train on 18th; 18 at Lago Arareco on 20th; and 3 at Divisivaro on 21st.
Northern rough-winged swallow (Stelgidopteryx serripennis): c30 near Mazatlan airport and the same number on the Durango Highway on 13th; c20 at Mazatlan on 15th, 5 there on 16th & 1 on 17th; 2 at Topolobampo on 22nd; 2 near Loreto on 24th;
Barn swallow (Hirundo rustica): c20 between Puerto Lopez and Loreto on 24th.
Steller's jay (Cyanocitta stelleri): c20 on Durango Highway on 14th; c15 at Cascade Curare on 19th; 8 around Lago Arareco on 20th; and 4 from train on 21st.
Black-throated magpie-jay (Calocitta colliei): 27 at various points along the Durango Highway on 13th; 3 on Durango Highway and 9 on Panuco Road on 15th; 3 between Mazatlan and Los Mochis on 17th; 24 from train on 18th; and 12 from train on 21st.*
Scrub jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens): 2 between Puerto Lopez and Loreto on 24th; and 1 between Loreto and La Paz on 25th.
Grey-breasted jay (Aphelocoma ultramarina): 1 from train on 18th. *
Sinaloa crow (Corvus sinaloae): Not seen in Baja California, but otherwise common in lowland areas, including within towns. *
Northern raven (Corvus corax): 2 on Durango Highway on 13th; 1 at Barranca Rancho Liebre on 14th; 2 on Durango Highway on 15th; 1 between Mazatlan and Los Mochis on 17th; c100 from train on 18th; 2 at Cascade Curare on 19th; 1 at Lago Arareco on 20th; 2 at Creel on 21st; 3 between La Paz and Puerto Lopez on 23rd; 2 between Puerto Lopez and Loreto on 24th; 2 at Loreto on 25th;
Mexican chickadee (Parus sclateri): c10 at Cascade Curare on 19th and c20 around Lago Arareco on 20th. *
Verdin (Auriparus flaviceps): 1 between La Paz and Puerto Lopez on 23rd; 5 between Puerto Lopez and Loreto on 24th; and 1 at Loreto and 2 between there and La Paz on 25th. *
White-breasted nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis): 2 at Lago Arareco on 20th.
Pygmy nuthatch (Sitta pygmaea): 2 at Lago Arareco on 20th.
Brown creeper (Certhia americana): 1 at Barranca Rancho Liebre on 14th; and c20 at Lago Arareco on 20th.*
Spotted wren (Campylorhynchus gularis): 2 on Durango Highway on 14th. *
Cactus wren (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus): 1 at Topolobampo on 22nd; 2 between La Paz and Puerto Lopez on 23rd; 2 beween Puerto Lopez and Loreto on 24th; and 1 at Loreto on 25th. *
Rock wren (Salpinctes obsoletus): 1 at Cascade Curare on 19th and 3 at Lago Arareco on 20th.
Canyon wren (Catherpes mexicanus): 1 at Cascade Curare on 18th; and 5 at Lago Arareco on 20th.
Happy wren (Thyrothorus felix): 2 on Panuco Road on 15th. *
Sinaloa wren (Thyrothorus sinaloa): 1 on Durango Highway on 13th. *
Bewick's wren (Thyromanes bewickii): 5 near Lago Arareco on 20th.
Brown-throated wren (Troglodytes brunneicollis): 5 at Barranca Rancho Liebre on 14th; 1 at Cascade Curare on 19th; and 2 at lago Arareco on 20th. *
American dipper (Cinclus mexicanus): 1 at Cascade Curare on 19th.
Ruby-crowned kinglet (Regulus calendula): 1 at Capilla de Taxa on 13th; 3 at Barranca Rancho Liebre on 14th.
Blue-grey gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea): c10 on Durango Highway on 13th; c20 on Panuco Road on 15th; 4 between Puerto Lopez and Loreto on 24th; and 1 at Loreto on 25th.
California gnatcatcher (Poloptila californica): 4 between La Paz and Puerto Lopez on 23rd; 2 between Puerto Lopez and Loreto on 24th; and 2 between Loreto and la Paz on 25th. *
Black-capped gnatcatcher (Poloptila nigriceps): 3 on Durango Highway on 13th. *
Eastern bluebird (Sialia sialis): 3 on Durango Highway on 13th. *
Western bluebird (Sialia mexicana): c30 around Lago Arareco on 20th.
Townsend's solitaire (Myadestes townsendi): 2 on Durango Highway on 14th and 1 from train on 21st.
Brown-backed solitaire (Myadestes occidentalis): Heard at Barranca Rancho Liebre and 1 seen on Durango Highway on 14th; and 1 on Panuco Road on 15th. *
Russet nightingale-thrush (Catharus occidentalis): 1 at Barranca Rancho Liebre on 14th. *
Hermit thrush (Catharus guttatus): 6 at Barranca Rancho Liebre on 14th.
White-throated thrush (Turdus assimilis): 10+ at Barranca Rancho Liebre on 14th; 1 on Panuco Road on 15th. *
Rufous-backed thrush (Turdus rufopalliatus): 20 on Panuco Road on 15th; and 1 in Mexico City on 27th. *
American robin (Turdus migratorius): 5 at Lago Arareco on 20th; and 1 in Mexico City on 26th & 27th.
Blue mockingbird (Melanotis caerulescens): 1 at Barranca Rancho Liebre and 1 on Durango Highway on 14th. *
Northern mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos): 3 near Mazatlan on 13th; 4 between Mazatlan and Los Mochis on 17th; 10+ from train on 18th; 5 between La Paz and Puerto Lopez on 23rd; 3 at Loreto on 25th; and 1 at Culican airport on 26th.
Grey thrasher (Toxostoma cinereum): 3 between Puerto Lopez and Loreto on 24th. *
Bendire's thrasher (Toxostoma bendirei): 5 from train on 18th. *
Curve-billed thrasher (Toxostoma curvirostre): 1 at Cascade Curare on 19th.
Grey silky-flycatcher (Ptilogonys cinereus): c40 on Panuco Road on 15th. *
Phainopepla (Phainopepla nitens): 1 at Topolobampo on 22nd; and 7 between La Paz and Puerto Lopez on 23rd.*
Loggerhead shrike (Lanius ludovicanus): 3 from train on 18th; 2 from train on 21st; 3 between La Paz and Puerto Lopez on 23rd; 2 between Puerto Lopez and Loreto on 24th; and 2 between Loreto and La Paz on 25th.
European starling (Sterna vulgaris): 2 between Mazatlan and Los Mochis on 17th.
Black-capped vireo (Vireo atricapillus): 3 on Panuco Road on 15th. *
Solitary vireo (Vireo solitarius): 1 (plumbeous) and 1 (cassin's) on Durango Highway on 13th; 2 (cassin's) and 1 (plumbeous) at Barranca Rancho Liebre on 14th; 1 (cassin's) on Panuco Road on 15th
Hutton's vireo (Vireo huttoni): c15 at Barranca Rancho Liebre on 14th; and 6 at lago Arareco on 20th.*
Golden vireo (Vireo hypochryseus): 2 on Durango Highway on 13th. *
Warbling vireo (Vireo gilvus): 1 on Durango Highway on 13th; and 2 at Barranca Rancho Liebre on 14th;
Orange-crowned warbler (Vermivora celata): 1 on Durango Highway on 13th; 1 at Mazatlan on 16th; and 1 at Loreto on 25th.
Nashville warbler (Vermivora ruficapilla): 2 on Durango Highway on 13th; 8 on Panuco Road on 15th*
Lucy's warbler (Vermivora luciae): 5 at Panuco Road on 15th. *
Crescent-chested warbler (Vermivora superciliosa): 3 at Barranca Rancho Liebre on 14th.. *
Tropical parula (Parula pitiayumi): 1 on Panuco Road on 15th.
Yellow-rumped warbler (Dendroica coronata): 6 on Durango Highway on 13th; 1 on Panuco Road on 15th; 1 at Puerto Lopez on 23rd; 1 at Loreto on 24th; 6 there on 25th; and 1 in Mexico City on 27th.
Black-throated grey warbler (Dendroica nigrescens): 1 on Durango Highway on 13th; 2 there on 14th; 8 on Panuco Road on 15th.
Townsend's warbler (Dendroica townsendii): c40 at Barranca Rancho Liebre on 14th, dominating many feeding flocks and on 2 on Durango Highway; *
Hermit warbler (Dendroica occidentalis): c15 at Barranca Rancho Liebre on 14th. *
Grace's warbler (Dendroica graciae): c10 at Barranca Rancho Liebre on 14th.
Black-and-white warbler (Mniotilta varia): 4 at Barranca Rancho Liebre on 14th; 1 on Panuco Road on 15th.
MacGillivray's warbler (Oporornis toliei): 1 on Panuco Road on 15th.
Common yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas): 1 at Puerto Lopez on 23rd.
Grey-crowned yellowthroat (Chamaethlypis poliocephala): 2 at Topolobampo on 22nd..
Wilson's warbler (Wilsonia pusilla): 1 on Durango Highway on 13th; 1 at Barranca Rancho Liebre on 14th; c30 on Panuco Road on 15th
Red-faced warbler (Cardellina rubrifrons): 6 at Barranca Rancho Liebre on 14th.. *
Red warbler (Ergaticus ruber): 9 at Barranca Rancho Liebre on 14th. *
Painted redstart (Myioborus pictus): 1 at Durango Highway on 13th; and 7 at Barranca Rancho Liebre and 2 on Durango Highway on 14th. *
Slate-throated redstart (Myioborus miniatus): 9 at Barranca Rancho Liebre on 14th and 1 on Panuco Road on 15th.
Rufous-capped warbler (Basileuterus rufifrons): 1 on Durango Highway on 14th. *
Golden-browed warbler (Basileuterus belli): 3 at Barranca Rancho Liebre on 14th. *
Olive warbler (Peucedramus taeniatus): A pair at Barranca Rancho Liebre on 14th. *
Hepatic tanager (Piranga flava): 10 at Barranca Rancho Liebre on 14th; 4 on Panuco Road on 15th.
Flame-coloured tanager (Piranga bidentata): 10 at Panuco Road on 15th. *
Red-headed tanager (Spermagra erythrocaphala): A male on Durango Highway on 14th.. *
Greyish saltator (Saltator coerulscens): 3 on Panuco Road on 15th.
Northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis): 2 near Mazatlan airport and 3 at the lower end of the Durango Highway on 13th.; 2 between Mazatlan and Los Mochis on 17th; and 2 at Topolobampo on 22nd.
Pyrrhuloxia (Cardinalis sinuatus): 1 at Topolobampo on 22nd; and 1 between Loreto and La Paz on 25th. *
Yellow grosbeak (Pheucticus chrysopeplus): 7 on way to Panuco Road and 6 on Panuco Road on 15th. *
Black-headed grosbeak (Pheucticus melanocephalus): 4 at Barranca Rancho Liebre and 3 on Durango Highway on 14th; 1 on Panuco Road on 15th.
Blue bunting (Cyanocompsa parellina): 7 on Panuco Road on 15th. *
Lazuli bunting (Passerina amoena): 1 on Panuco Road on 15th. *
Varied bunting (Passerina versicolor): 6 on Panuco Road on 15th. *
Painted bunting (Passerina ciris): 5 on Panuco Road on 15th. *
Rusty-crowned ground-sparrow (Melozone kieneri): 1 on Panico Road on 15th. *
Green-tailed towhee (Pipilo chlorurus): 1 at Topolobampo on 22nd; c10 between Puerto Lopez and Loreto on 24th; and 3 between Loreto and La Paz on 25th.
Rufous-sided towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus): 4 at Barranca Rancho Liebre on 14th.. All of the spotted form.
California towhee (Pipilo crissalis): 1 between La Paz and Puerto Lopez on 23rd. *
Canyon towhee (Pipilo fuscus): 3 at Cascade Curare on 19th; and 4 near Lago Arareco on 20th.
Botteri's sparrow (Aimophila botterii): 2 at Topolobampo on 22nd. *
Rufous-winged sparrow (Aimophila carpalis): 2 at Topolobampo on 22nd. *
Rufous-crowned sparrow (Aimophila ruficeps): c100 on Durango Highway on 14th;
Rusty sparrow (Aimophila rufescens): 2 at Lago Arareco on 20th. *
Striped sparrow (Oriturus superciliosus): c20 at cascade Curare on 19th. *
Black-throated sparrow (Amphispiza bilineata): c10 between La Paz and Puerto Lopez on 23rd; and c15 between Loreto and La Paz on 25th.
Chipping sparrow (Spizella passerina): 1 on Durango Highway on 13th and c200 near Lago Arareco on 20th.
Clay-coloured sparrow (Spizella pallida): c15 on Durango Highway on 14th; c20 near Lago Arareco on 20th. *
Black-chinned sparrow (Spizella atrogularis): 2 between Loreto and La Paz on 25th.. *
Lark sparrow (Chondestes grammacus): 3 at Topolobampo on 22nd; and c20 near La Paz on 25th.
Savannah sparrow (Ammodramus sandwichensis): 1 at Loreto on 24th
White-crowned sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys): 3 at Puerto Lopez on 23rd; 1 at Loreto on 24th; and 22 there on 25th.
Dark-eyed junco (Junco hyemalis): 2 at Lago Arareco on 20th and 2 at Creel on 21st..
Yellow-eyed junco (Junco phaeonotus): 4 at Barranca Rancho Liebre on 14th; c30 at Cascade Curare on 19th; and c20 around Lago Arareco on 20th. *
Yellow-headed blackbird (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus): c30 at Mazatlan airport on 13th.
Western meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta): 1 near Puerto Lopez on 23rd; 2 between Loreto and La Paz on 25th; and 2 at Culican airport on 26th.
Brewer's blackbird (Euphagus cyanocephalus): 100s between Mazatlan and Los Mochis on 17th.
Great-tailed grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus): Common around towns and in agricultural areas.
Hooded oriole (Icterus cucullatus): 8 on Durango Highway on 13th; 1 between La Paz and Puerto Lopez on 23rd; and 1 at Loreto on 24th with 8 there on 25th. *
Black-vented oriole (Icterus wagleri): 3 on Durango Highway on 13th. *
Streak-backed oriole (Icterus pustulatus): 6 on Panuco Road on 15th and 1 at Mazatlan on 16th. *
Northern oriole (Icterus galbula): All bullock's - 1 on Durango Highway on 14th; c40 on Panuco Road on 15th
Scott's oriole (Icterus parisorum): 5 on Durango Highway on 13th; and 1 there on 14th. *
Yellow-winged cacique (Cacicus melanicterus): c60 on Panuco Road on 15th. *
Cassin's finch (Carpodacus cassinii): 2 near Lago Arareco on 20th.; and 1 at Creel on 21st
House finch (Carpodacus mexicanus): c20 at Mazatlan on 16th; 1 between Puerto Lopez and Loreto on 24th; 8 at Loreto on 25th; 10 between Loreto and |La Paz on 25th; and 4 in Mexico City on 27th.
Black-headed siskin (Carduelis notata): c30 on Durango Highway on 13th; and 3 there on 14th. *
Lesser goldfinch (Carduelis psaltria): c10 near Mazatlan airport on 13th.
House sparrow (Passer domesticus)
Mammals sighted:
Grey squirrel - seen in several woodlands.
Chipmunk sp - 2 just south of Loreto on 25th.
Hare sp (? black-tailed) - 1 south of Loreto on 24th.
Dwarf sperm whale (Kogia breviceps) - 2 at Topolobampo on 22nd. *
Grey whale (Eschrichtius robustus) - c10 at Luerto Lopez on 24th. *
Blue whale (Belaenoptera musculus) - 1 at mirador south of Loreto on 24th. *
Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) - 1 at mirador south of Loreto on 24th. *
Bottle-nosed dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) - all dolphins seen well enough to identify were this species: seen at Topolobampo on 22nd and Puerto Lopez on 24th. More distant dolphins seen at Mazatlan on 17th and at Loreto on 25th.
Californian sea-lion - c10 at Mazatlan on 16th. *
end of report